By Daniel Rigdon / sports writer
Collinsville will be jumping tonight as Forrest County AHS comes calling for No. 1 seed out of Region 5-4A West Lauderdale in first round action of the Class 4A state playoffs.
West (9-2) faces a solid first round opponent in Forrest County AHS (8-2), the No. 4 seed out of Region 8-4A. However, with a heathy roster and improved play each week, the Knights look to be up to the task.
"We've had a good week of practice and everybody is ready to go," West coach Glen Sanders said. "Everybody is heathy and just ready to play again."
West knows that a big factor is being able to pass the football some and to mix it with the power football it's been enforcing on opponents as of late, according to Sanders. Fans can look for a steady dose of Robert Sillimon and Dennis Lewis out of the backfield as well as senior quarterback Nate Hodges making plays with his arm and legs. West Lauderdale comes into tonight's contest riding an eight-game win streak.
Forrest County, though, has a few playmakers of its own.
"They've got speed and when they turn the corner they can fly," Sanders added. "They have two speedsters that run really well. They use a ton of formations trying to get to the outside."
According to Sanders, the Knights have spent a lot of time on formation recognition in this week's practices to prepare for that strategy from the Aggies. Sanders believes turnover margin and controlling the time of possession will be a must if West is to be successful.
"They like to hold on to the ball like we do," noted Sanders. " At the same time we have to be able to put points on the board too."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Columbia at Newton County
The Newton County Cougars open up Class 4A state playoff action in Decatur tonight as the Columbia Wildcats come to town.
Newton County (3-7) enters the contest as the No. 2 seed out of Region 6-4A, while Columbia (7-4) comes in as No. 3 from Region 7-4A.
The Cougars will look to senior running back Diason Martin and junior wide out Hakeem Wesley to get things going for them on offense. Martin has rushed for 734 yards and seven total touchdowns this season, while Wesley has caught nine passes for scores and rushed for another four.
Newton County will look to contain Columbia star running back Derrick Bourne, who leads the Wildcats in both passing and rushing.
Quitman at St. Stanislaus
Quitman faces one of the most high-powered offenses in the state tonight as it travels south to open up Class 4A state playoff action at St. Stanislaus.
Quitman (6-5) is the No. 4 seed out of Region 5-4A, while St. Stanislaus (9-1) holds the No. 1 spot from Region 8-4A.
The Panthers are led by star running back DeAnthony Pickens. Pickens, who has rushed for 1,688 yards, found the end zone nine times from the ground as well as one touchdown reception during the regular season for Quitman.
The Panthers will have their hands full with arguably the state's best quarterback, Dylan Favre, running the Rock-A-Chaws' offense. Favre has passed for 3,484 yards and 42 touchdowns this season as well as rushing for 725 yards and nine scores.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
